But House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi tells CBS' "Face the Nation" a push for higher taxes on upper-income earners is "not off the table." She says changes to tax law could involve deductions and other breaks.

McConnell says it shouldn't require a crisis for President Barack Obama and the Democratic majority in the Senate to address federal spending and the future of big entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

Pelosi also took a swipe at Republicans. The former House speaker says the country needs a strong GOP but describes the current party as a "really over-the-edge crowd" that's dominated by an element of "anti-government ideologues" committed to opposing President Barack Obama.